Foot pain is one of the most annoying health conditions to live with because it makes any and all physical activity more difficult. Foot pain can be caused by a number of different issues and conditions, usually involving tendons, ligaments, and bones in the affected area. If you find that walking causes stress or pain in your foot that makes movement generally uncomfortable, it’s important to consult your doctor to find the cause.
Foot health is vastly important to your overall health and well-being. This is because we use our feet from the time we get out of bed in the morning to the time we go to sleep at night. Our feet take us where we want to go and when we don’t feel comfortable moving around, it gets in the way of doing the activities we love and enjoy. Luckily, most foot pain is easily diagnosed and treated. Read along to find out the common causes of foot pain when walking and what you can do to stop or prevent your foot pain from occurring.
Why do the Bottom of my Feet Hurt
Each year, millions of people will experience foot pain for one reason or another. The type of pain varies from person to person depending on the cause of the pain. Foot pain can manifest on the bottom or top of the foot, around the ankle, in the toes, and in any other number of ways. If you feel numbness or tingling in your foot or you are experiencing extreme pain when walking, it’s important to see a doctor.
Here are some common causes of foot pain and how they can be treated:
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis, also known as flat feet, is a problem that accounts for about 15 percent of all foot problems. The symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
- Stabbing pain in the heel
- Increased pain in the morning
- Increased pain during exercise
- Swollen heels
- Pain in the arch of the foot
- Continued for months
Treatment for plantar fasciitis includes strengthening exercises for the feet, rest, anti-inflammatory medicines, splints and shoe inserts, and in some cases, even corticosteroid injections for short term relief.
Morton’s Neuroma
This is a condition in which the nerves in your foot begin to thicken and place pressure on your toes. Some symptoms of Morton’s neuroma include:
- Constant feeling similar to a rock being stuck in your shoe
- Tingling and numbness
- Burning in the ball of your foot, sometimes spreading to your toes
Treatments for Morton’s neuroma include shoe inserts or other devices to support the arch of your foot, as well as surgery in some cases.
Tendinitis
When a tendon becomes inflamed, which is more likely to occur in places like the foot, it’s considered Tendinitis. This condition can cause pain in the foot when exercising. In the feet, the Achilles tendon is most likely to suffer from this issue. You’ll likely experience these symptoms if you have Tendinitis:
- Tenderness or stiffness in the foot
- Aching in the back of the heel/leg
- Swelling and warmth in the heel
Tendinitis is treated with rest and over the counter medication like ibuprofen. Doctors will also give many patients exercises or stretches for the foot that can help in recovery. In extreme cases, surgery might be needed to fix this issue.
Pain in Toes When Walking
If you are experiencing pain in your toes when walking, it could be a number of issues including broken or sprained toes, Morton’s neuroma, ingrown toenails, and more. Here are some of the conditions that might cause pain in the toes when walking:
- Turf toe
- Hammertoe
- Nerve impingement
- Neuropathy
- Dislocated toes
- Tendinitis
- Hallux rigidus
- Plantar plate tear
- Athlete’s foot
In some cases, toe pain can be life threatening. If you experience confusion, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, or a high fever, seek medical attention immediately. These might be signs of a more severe problem like an infection.
Doctors will use a variety of tests to find the cause of your foot pain. This includes examining the affected foot and asking you to describe where the pain is located. If the doctor suspects a broken bone or a sprain, they might x-ray the area. In some cases, you might even need to go to physical therapy to help you manage your pain or restore full function to the injured area.
Foot Pain When Walking
Foot pain when walking is relatively common, but that doesn’t mean that you have to simply live with it. Our feet take us everywhere, and when our mobility is limited so is our activity. Don’t let foot pain stop you from going out and enjoying your life. If you’re experiencing foot pain that makes your day-to-day life harder than it needs to be, consider seeing a specialist to help identify and correct the problem.
There are a variety of conditions that could be a potential problem for your feet. This is why it’s so important to see an expert when it comes to foot health. A professional will be able to narrow down the potential issues and give you a proper diagnosis, along with a plan for recovery. Sometimes the solution is shoe inserts or splints and in more serious cases, the solution is physical therapy and even surgery.
Foot and Ankle Specialists of Illinois
If you live in Illinois, especially in the Algonquin area, consider seeing one of our professionals at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois. All of our staff are trained specifically to provide comprehensive care to whatever condition you may be suffering from. If you’re interested in booking an appointment, learning more about what might be causing your foot problems, or looking at testimonials from our patients, visit our website. If you have any questions about foot pain or our services, contact us today. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Don’t let foot pain keep you from living your life. Book an appointment with us at FASI today.
